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Ecophysiology and Screening for climate change resilience in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Genotypes
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2019) Aswini, A; KAU; Jyothi Bhaskar
The study on “Ecophysiology and screening for climate change resilience in mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes” was conducted with the objective of getting basic information on eco physiological responses among selected genotypes of mango on flushing, flowering and fruit development with a view to identify climate resilient genotypes that are suitable for future climate change scenario in Kerala. The study comprised of three experiments viz., evaluation of mango genotypes under normal planting system, evaluation of selected mango genotypes in high density planting system and development of a crop weather model for mango and screening of genotypes for climate resilience with developed crop weather models. Experiment on evaluation of mango genotypes under normal planting system was conducted with trees of same age group (23 years). Wide variation was observed among the morphological characters, physiological characters, biochemical characters and quality attributes of different mango genotypes. From the observations on tree characters, the plant height varied from 9.78 m (H 151) to 12.49 m (Chandrakaran), the trunk circumference ranged from 91.63 cm (Muvandan) to 196.53 cm (Swarnarekha), and the crown diameter varied from 7.07 m (H 151) to 13.46 m (Mulgoa). The qualitative data on morphological characters viz., tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit, stone and seed characters were grouped into clusters based on the IBPGRI descriptor. The observation on leaf characters revealed that the leaf blade length varied from 19.78 cm (Chandrakaran) to 29.32 cm (Amrapali), leaf blade width ranged from 4.77 cm (Kalepady) to 8.12 cm (Vellaikolumban), and the petiole length varied from 1.56 cm (H 45) to 3.70 cm (Amrapali). Based on the observations on inflorescence character the inflorescence length varied from 12.58 cm (Dashehari) to 34.42 cm (Bennet Alphonso), the inflorescence width ranged from 9.32 cm to 3.40 cm (Vellaikolumban), the hermaphrodite flowers in the inflorescence varied from 14.00% (Mulgoa) to 67.83% (Neelum), and the number of stamens per flower ranged from 4 to 5. From the observations on fruit characters the fruit length varied from 7.60 cm (Chandrakaran) to 20.08 cm (Mulgoa), fruit diameter ranged from 17.05 cm (h 151) to 32.50 cm (Arka Aruna), the fruit weight ranged from 123.10 g (Chandrakaran) to 738.97 g (Mulgoa), the fruit yield varied from 9.75 kg/tree (Arka Aruna) to 52.13 kg/tree (Muvandan) and the shelf life ranged from 3.83 days (PKM 2) to 7 days (H 151). From the observations on stone characters stone length, varied from 5.60 cm (Muvandan and Neelum) to 14.05 cm (Mulgoa), stone width ranged from 3.17 cm (Muvandan) to 12.07 cm (H 45 ), the stone thickness varied from 1.20 cm (Muvandan) to 3.15 cm (Neelgoa) and the stone weight ranged from 15.93 g (Bennet Alphonso) to 47.13 g (Mulgoa). Based on the seed characters the seed length varied from 4.28 cm (Bennet Alphonso) to 11.22 cm (Mulgoa), the seed width ranged from 2.25 cm (Sindhu) to 8.88 cm (Banganapalli) and the seed weight ranged from 8.58 g (Vellaikoamban) to 28.98 g (Mulgoa). The results from the analysis of quality attributes of different genotypes indicated that the acidity ranged from 0.02 % (Kalepady and H 151) to 0.12 % (Himayuddin), the ascorbic acid ranged from 12.17 mg 100g-1 (Arka Aruna) to 72.49 mg 100g-1 (Muvandan), carotenoids varied from 0.16 mg 100g-1 (Neelum) to 8.47 mg 100g-1 (Alphonso), ß carotene ranged from 9.75 mg 100g-1 (Mulgoa) to 45.06 mg 100g-1 (Dashehari), the total sugar varied from 12.55 % (Tholikkaipan) to 27.81 % (Swarnarekha), the reducing sugar ranged from 5.37 % (Swarnarekha) to 10.38 % (Tholikkaipan), the crude fibre varied from 2.67 % (Alphonso) to 16.50 % (Arka Aruna) and the TSS ranged from 16.16 oBrix (Kalepady) to 27.68 oBrix (Himayyudin). The results from sensory evaluation indicated that Mallika secured the highest rank for appearance, flavour, sweetness and texture, whereas Ratna secured the highest rank for clour and taste. The studies on pollen characters showed that the pollen length varied from 26.40 μm (Neelgoa) to 45.72 μm (Himayuddin), the pollen breadth ranged from 22.92 μm (Muvandan) to 38.34 μm (Arka Aruna), the pollen fertility ranged from 82.70 μm (Mulgoa) to 93.60 μm (Tholikkaipan) and the pollen production varied from 299.00 (H 151) to 541.83 (Prior). The pollen shapes of different mango genotypes observared were oblong, oval and round. The pollen storage was standardized using the pollen grains of Mallika and it was found that keeping under refrigerated conditions at 4OC was ambient. In vitro pollen germination were tried by hanging drop technique in different concentrations of sucrose solution with 1% agar and 0.001% boric acid but no germination was observed. The studies on physiological characters of different mango genotypes revealed that the relative water content varied from 19.00% (Ratna) to 35.82% (Neelum), radiation interception varied from 0.68 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Tholikkaipan) to 0.92 m-2 s-2 (Mulgoa), stomatal index varied from 15.59 (Prior) to 22.44 (Mallika), the stomatal frequency ranged from 65.22 to 88.78 (Banganappalli), the variation on stomatal conductance among the mango genotypes was found to be non significant, the stomatal resistance ranged from 5.33 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Dashehari) to 37.92 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Swarnarekha), the photosynthetic rate varied from 7.57 μ mol m-2 s-2 (H 151) to 17.91 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Tholikkaipan), the transpiration rate varied from 1.41 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Vellaikolumban) to 4.15 μ mol m-2 s-2 ( Dashehari), the leaf area index varied from 0.69 ( Dashehari) to 2.07 (Muvandan), and atmospheric pollution tolerance index ranged from 42.07 (Muvandan) to 68.53 (Mallika). The biochemical studies revealed that total phenol content varied from 4.54 mg g-1 to 19.07 mg g-1 (Ratna), soluble protein varied from 8.60 mg g-1 (Prior ) to 20.04 mg g-1 (Muvandan), the ascorbic acid content varied from 63.29 mg g-1 (Swarnarekha) to 97.21 mg g-1 (Ratna), the leaf pH ranged from 5.14 (Muvandan) to 6.45 (PKM 2), the chlorophyll a content varied from 0.82 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) to 1.31 mg g-1 (Sindhu), the chlrophyll b content ranged from 0.13 mg g-1 (Banganappalli) to 0.26 mg g-1 (Tholikaippan), and the total chlorophyll ranged from 0.99 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) to 1.48 mg g-1 (H 45). For the study on evaluation of mango genotypes under high density planting the trees of same age group (5 years) were selected. The observation on tree characters indicated that the trunk circumference ranged from 20.51 cm (Prior) to 31.29 cm (Chandrakaran), crown diameter ranged from 2.39 m (Ratna) to 3.09 m (Vellaikolumban). The qualitative data on morphological characters viz., tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit, stone and seed characters were grouped into clusters based on the IBPGRI descriptor. The observation on leaf characters revealed that the leaf blade length varied from 19.17 cm (Muvandan) to 25.40 cm (Ratna), leaf blade width ranged from 4.84 cm (Muvandan) to 7.68 cm (Vellaikolumban) and leaf petiole length varied from 2.29 cm (Chandrakaran) to 4.18 cm (Vellaikolumban). Based on the inflorescence characters, the inflorescence length varied from 22.14 cm (Prior) to 36.47 cm (Vellaikolumban), the hermaphrodite flowers ranged from 33.40% (Muvandan) to 85.80% (Chandrakaran) and the number of stamens varied from 3 to 4. The observation on fruit characters revealed that the fruit length varied from 7.49 cm (Chandrakaran) to 18.71 cm (Mallika), the fruit diameter ranged from 13.18 cm (Chandrakaran) to 25.25 cm (Mallika), the fruit weight ranged from 8.93 g (Muvandan) to 24.69 g (Mallika), the yield per tree ranged from 8.93 kg/tree (Muvandan) to 24.69 kg/tree (Mallika), and the shelf life of fruits varied from 4 to 6 days. The observations on stone and seed characters revealed that chandrakaran recorded the lowest stone length (5.58 cm), stone width (3.36 cm), stone thickness (1.23 cm), stone weight (17.79 g) and seed length (4.05 cm). The lowest seed width and seed weight was recorded by Prior (3.07cm) and Vellaikolumban (9.44 cm). The highest stone length was recorded by Mallika (11.67 cm), stone width by Ratna (8.67 cm), stone thickness by Vellaikolumban (2.19 cm), stone weight by Mallika (44.33 g) , seed weight by Prior (22.22 g) and seed length and width by Ratna (7.91 cm and 8.47 cm respectively). Based on the analysis on quality attributes on different mango genotyped under high density planting the TSS ranged from 14.78 oBrix (Muvandan), acidity varied from 0.02 % (Mallika) to 0.07 % (Muvandan), ascorbic acid varied from 28.26 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 79.68 mg 100g-1 (Chandrakaran), carotenoids ranged from 1.40 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 4.80 mg 100g-1(Ratna), and ß carotene ranged from 13.54 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 39.93 mg 100g-1(Ratna). The results on sensory evaluation revealed that Ratna recorded the highest rank for colour, flavour, sweetness, texture and taste, whereas Mallika recorded the highest rank for appearance. The pollen studies indicated that the pollen length varied from 24.80 μm (Muvandan) to 44.00 μm (Prior), pollen breadth ranged from 22.62 μm (Muvandan) to 33.35 μm (Chandrakaran), pollen fertility ranged from 59.47% (Prior) to 79.29% (Mallika) and the pollen production ranged from 194.50 (Muvandan) to 306.10 (Vellaikolumban). The studies on physiolological characters showed that the radiation interception ranged from 0.77 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Ratna and Chandrakaran) to 0.61 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior), the stomatal index ranged from 17.87 (Mallika) to 21.37 (Ratna), the stomatal frequency varied from 63.73 (Mallika) to 81.40 (Ratna), stomatal conductance ranged from 0.09 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior) to 0.19 μ mol m- 2 s-2 (Muvandan), stomatal resistance ranged from 7.31 μ mol m-2 s-2 ( (Muvandan) to 19.79 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior), the photosynthetic rate varied from 3.17 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Chandrakaran) to 11.68 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Vellaikolumban), transpiration ranged from 2.44 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Chandrakaran) to 4.19 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Muvandan) and atmospheric pollution tolerance index ranged from 54.42 (Vellaikolumban) to 68.34 (Ratna). The studies on biochemical character revealed that total phenol content varied from 4.81 mg g-1 (Vellaikolumban) to 10.66 mg g-1 (Prior), soluble protein varied from 12.72 mg g-1 (Ratna) to 20.75 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran), ascorbic acid content ranged from 67.74 mg g-1 (Vellaikolumban) to 92.34 mg g-1 (Ratna), leaf pH varied from 5.57 (Ratna) to 6.15 (Muvandan), chlorophyll a content ranged from 1.09 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 1.29 (Prior), chlorophyll b varied from 0.22 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 0.29 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) and total chlorophyll varied from 1.30 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 1.55 mg g-1 (Prior). Future climate change projection for 2030, 2040 and 2050 based on RCP 4.5 was generated using ECHAM model and the performance of the various genotypes under projected climatic conditions was evaluated using the developed model. Correlation among different meteorological and phenological characters of mango genotypes were done for yield, regression equations were derived and the yield was predicted from the scenario. Three phenophases viz., flower initiation, fruit initiation and fruit maturation were taken for the study. In each phenophase, weather parameter for seven, fifteen and thirty days prior to date of expression were averaged individually for correlation. Sindhu, Vellaikolumban, Prior, Alphonso, Kalepady and Tholikaippan showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in flowering phenophase under normal planting system. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in solar radiation in H 45, Mulgoa and Tholikaippan,. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in Dashehari, Neelum and Muvandan. Amrapali, PKM 1, Alphonso, Himayuddin, Swarnarekha and Mulgoa showed an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall. Amrapali, PKM 1, Sindhu, Neelum, Himayyudin, Bennet Alphonso, Kalepady, Muvandan, Tholikaippan, Vellaikolumaban, Banganapalli and Prior, recorded an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit initiation phenophase under normal planting system. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in PKM 1, Amrapali, H 151, H 45, Bennet Alphonso, Mulgoa, Tholikkaipan, Chandrakaran and Muvandan. Dashehari showed an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall. H 151, Kalepady and Swarnarekha showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall in fruit maturation phenophase under normal planting system. Based on the performance of genotypes in all three phenophases, H 45 can be recommended for regions with lower rainfall and lower solar radiation among the hybrids under normal planting system, whereas, Amrapali and PKM 1 can be recommended for areas with higher temperature and for both higher and lower rainfall regions. Among the parents of the hybrids, Mulgoa can be recommended for regions with lower solar radiation and for both lower and higher rainfall regions. Among the local types, Tholikaippan can be recommended for the regions with higher temperature, lower rainfall and lower solar radiation. Vellaikolumban, Ratna and Muvandan showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in flowering phenophase under high density planting system. Prior, Chandrakaran, Muvandan, Vellaikolumban, Ratna and Mallika recorded an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit initiation phenophase under high density planting system. Prior, Chandrakaran, Mallika, Ratna and Muvandan, showed an increase in the yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit maturation phenophase under high density planting system, whereas the predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in Mallika, Vellaikolumban and Ratna. Based on the performance of genotypes in all the three phenophases, all studied genotypes can be recommended for higher temperature regions under high density planting system. In conclusion, climate change may have a profound impact on mango genotypes since the flower initiation, fruit initiation and fruit maturation phenophases are strongly influenced by the environment. The projected scenario for 2030, 2040 and 2050 indicate that the temperature will tend to increase and the rainfall will decrease from the present condition leading to altered phenophases which necessitate changes in spectrum and distribution of varieties currently being grown. H 45, PKM 1, Amrapali, Mulgoa and Tholikaippan are the climate resilient genotypes for the normal planting systems and Mallika, Ratna, Muvandan, Vellaikolumban and Prior are the climate resilient genotypes for high density planting systems.
Open Access
Evaluation of propagation techniques and rootstock studies of mango (Mangifera indica L.)
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Reshma, U R; KAU; Simi, S
An investigation entitled “Evaluation of propagation techniques and rootstock studies of mango (Mangifera indica L.)” was carried out during 2016– 2019 at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The investigation aimed to screen local mango varieties/ collections for polyembryony, to study the pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stone after extraction from fruit on germination of mango stones, to screen local mango varieties for use as dwarfing rootstocks and to study the effect of two propagation methods in three modified environments on three varieties of scions. Out of twenty local mango varieties collected from different parts of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, seventeen were polyembryonic while three were monoembryonic. The mango var. Kappa Manga (T19) recorded the highest germination per cent (73.33 %), germination index (2.41) and seedling vigour index on growth basis (2795.20). The mean germination time (17.50 days) was the least in Vellari Varikka (T18). Kotookonam Varikka recorded the highest per cent polyembryony (65.13 %) and produced the highest number of plantlets per stone (5.00). Microsatellite analysis of all the plantlets from two varieties viz., Kotookonam Varikka and Kochu Kilichundan that exhibited the highest percentage of polyembryony were done using 20 SSR primers and the products were compared with their respective mother plants. All the seedlings obtained from the respective stones had identical SSR profile to the mother plant, which indicated nucellar origin of seedlings having similar genetic composition to the mother plant. The zygotic seedling might have degenerated at very early stage of growth and the remaining nucellar seedlings were all vigorous. To study the effect of pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stone after extraction from the fruit on germination of mango stones, an experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 42 treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised two sowing positions viz., flat (S1) and stalk end up (S2), three age of stones after extraction from fruit, viz., freshly extracted (A1), 10 days (A2) and 20 days after extraction (A3) and seven pre-sowing treatments viz., 100 ppm GA3 (T1), 200 ppm GA3 (T2), 1 ppm KNO3 (T3), 2 ppm KNO3 (T4), cow dung slurry(T5), water (T6), control [without treatment (T7)] and their combinations. The variety Kotookonam Varikka was utilized for the study. The stalk end up sowing method and freshly extracted stones proved to be the best with respect to germination and vigour of mango seedlings. The stones treated with 200 ppm GA3 required minimum number of days for initiation of germination (22.62 days), 50 % germination (31.78 days), exhibited the highest germination percentage (62.59 %), rate of germination (0.48), vigour index on growth basis (2310.02) and weight basis (657.09). Treatment with 100 ppm GA3 produced the highest seedling length (35.70 cm) and dry weight (10.39 g) at 4 month after sowing (MAS). Interaction effects also indicated that the freshly extracted stones sown by stalk end up method after treatment with 200 ppm GA3 for 24 hours resulted in significantly the highest germination rate (0.74) and the least number of days for initiation of germination (13.00 days). An attempt was made to identify the local mango varieties for use as dwarfing rootstock based on morphological, physiological and anatomical features. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with ten genotypes replicated thrice. At 4 MAS, the lowest seedling length (29.48 cm) was noticed in Kochu Kilichundan (T4), followed by Unda Varikka (T10) and the highest seedling length (56.11 cm) was in Kappa Manga (T8). Moreover, the germination percentage of Kochu Kilichundan (46.67 %) was on par with all the varieties except Kappa Manga (71.11 %) along with the lowest vigour index-I and vigour index- II was on par with Unda Varikka. However, the least dry matter of seedling (9.66 g) was recorded in Unda Varikka. At 6 MAS, majority of the morphological features were the highest in Kappa Manga. The highest starch content (8.53 %) was estimated to be in Kasthuri (T2). Kochu Kilichundan and Unda Varikka exhibited dwarfism with less plant height (38.77 cm and 40.20 cm respectively), but the former had the least internodal length (3.16 cm). The highest values for number of leaves (23.20), leaf length (12.59 cm), leaf width (4.07 cm) and average leaf area (22.57 cm2) were recorded in Unda Varikka compared to Kochu Kilichundan. However, the highest number of roots (28.53), root length (35.02 cm), dry weight of root (3.10 g), dry weight of shoot (1.46 g) and stomatal density (51.68) were recorded in Kochu Kilichundan while total leaf area of the two varieties were on par. Moreover, Kochu Kilichundan had the highest phenol content in apical bud (60.57 mg/g) and leaves (29.03 mg/g) and bark percentage of root (23.69 %) and shoot (34.02 %) of all the varieties. Membrane stability index, relative water content, transpiration rate and leaf temperature were non-significant. The anatomical studies revealed the highest phloem-xylem ratio both in stem (0.99) and root (1.35) and the least total conduit area of root (6.38 mm2) in Unda Varikka while the least total conduit area of stem (5.42 mm2) was in Kochu Kilichundan, indicating the dwarfing potential of both Kochu Kilichundan and Unda Varikka. To study the effect of propagation methods and modified environments on different varieties of scion, an experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with eighteen treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised two propagation methods viz., epicotyl (P1) and softwood grafting (P2), three modified environments viz., climate controlled [fan and pad (M1)], humid chamber (M2) and natural shade [75 % shade (M3)] and three varieties of scions, Kalapady (V1), Neelum (V2) and Kotookonam Varikka (V3) and their combinations. The grafts produced by epicotyl grafting resulted in significantly higher scion length (15.80 cm), had the least number of days for leaf opening (15.07days) , first (12.19 days) and last sprouting (22.02), higher number of grafts sprouted at weekly intervals, higher initial success percentage (83.21 %), graft establishment percentage (72.22 %), number of leaves per graft (15.40), leaf length (15.27 cm), leaf width (3.36 cm), leaf area (41.69 cm2), number of nodes on scion (21.63), internodal length (5.20 cm), number of growth flushes per graft (1.76), lower number of days taken between grafting to first vegetative flush (26.06 days) as well as to second vegetative flush (44.98 days) and higher final survival of grafts (65.19 %). The micro climate controlled by fan and pad system produced most conducive conditions for vegetative growth of mango grafts. Among the different varieties of scions, Kotookonam Varikka recorded the highest girth of rootstock, girth of scion, length of scion, graft height, spread of plant in N-S direction and E-W direction, number of grafts sprouted at weekly intervals, initial success percentage, percentage of graft establishment, leaf width, number of nodes on scion, internodal length, number of growth flushes per graft and the lowest number of days taken between grafting and second vegetative flush. Kalapady recorded the least number of days for first and last sprouting, leaf opening and for first vegetative flushing. The greatest sprout length, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf area were recorded in Neelum. The scion did not influence the final survival of grafts. The treatment combinations had no influence on root length. Interaction effects also confirmed that epicotyl grafting method with Kotookonam Varikka variety as scion under controlled conditions using fan and pad system resulted in grafts with higher scion length (16.80 cm), sprout length (6.05 cm), more number of growth flushes per graft (2.33) and earlier second vegetative flush (40.87 days). Based on the above findings it could be concluded that the highest percentage of polyembryony was in Kotookonam Varikka and microsatellite analysis revealed the nucellar origin of plantlets and confirmed higher vigour of nucellar seedlings over sexual seedling. Stalk end up sowing of freshly extracted stones treated with 200 ppm GA3 for 24 hours recorded better germination and vigour of mango seedlings. The mango variety Kochu Kilichundan and UndaVarikka were identified as promising rootstocks to impart dwarfness and Kochu Kilichundan was superior in most of the morphological and physiological characters. The epicotyl grafts of Kotookonam Varikka under controlled climate by fan and pad system recorded better graft establishment, survival, vegetative and growth parameters.
Open Access
Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Sheena, A; KAU; Sabina George, T
The investigation on “Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars” was conducted at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2010 - 2013. The objectives were to evaluate introduced cultivars of anthurium for growth, flowering and floral attributes, to assess their compatibility with cultivars having breeding potential and to produce novel anthurium cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. The study was conducted in two experiments and the results and salient findings are abstracted here. In experiment I, performance evaluation of nine introduced anthurium cultivars for growth and cut flower production was carried out. The cultivars exhibited differential responses in vegetative and floral characters. With respect to morphological characters the cultivars Marijke and Paradise had greater vegetative vigour, higher yields, larger spathes and greater vase life. Salmon Queen, Mozaik Fresh, Hillary, Cynthia and Elizabeth were moderate in vegetative vigour. Red Amour and Anastasia were short statured, lower in vegetative vigour and low yielders with smaller spathes. Variability studies indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for most of the characters indicating the greater influence of environment. Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters. In experiment II, twenty one anthurium cultivars including the introduced ones were evaluated for their floral characters and from these, eight cultivars namely Paradise, Marijke, Mozaik Fresh, Lady Jane Pink, Orange Glory, Dragon’s Tongue, Lima White and Agnihotri Red were selected as parents for further hybridization. Significant differences in floral characters were noticed among the cultivars. The cultivars exhibited variations in the qualitative characters of spathe colour, texture, spadix colour and type and colour of the young leaf and petiole. Anthocyanin content of the spathe showed a gradation with variation in the intensity of spathe colour. Vase life of the cultivars ranged from 6.33 to 20.50 days. Peak pollen emergence was observed from October to January and absence of pollen was found from March to May. Combining ability analysis was carried out for 11 traits in which eight traits exhibited higher dominance variance and three traits had higher additive variance which indicated involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of characters and suggested the importance of selection as well as hybridization for improvement of these characters. Marijke and Mozaik Fresh were good general combiners with respect to the characters number of fruits per spadix, percentage of fruit set, number of seeds and percentage of seed germination, Orange Glory and Dragon’s Tongue for days to seed maturity, days to seed germination, seedling survival and days from emergence to maturity of leaves and Paradise for percentage of fruit set, days for germination and leaf area. In vitro seed germination study revealed that surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite 2 % for 15 minutes recorded the lowest incidence of contamination and highest survival percentage. Highest germination per cent and earlier leaf development were seen in full MS media without growth regulators. Seed germination in vitro and its further multiplication could reduce the time taken to develop new hybrids in large numbers. The hybrid plants in the field are in flowering, near flowering and pre flowering stages. Vegetative and floral characters of the 35 hybrids that flowered when compared with their parents, revealed variations in the parameters studied. Ten hybrids found promising based on qualitative evaluation of spathe and spadix characters in the present study can be further assessed for flower yield and cut flower attributes and selected for cultivation.
Open Access
Evaluation of foliage plants for interior plantscaping
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Alex, R; KAU; Sudhadevi, P K
Studies were undertaken in Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-2012 to evaluate the foliage plants for interior plantscaping. The study comprised of four experiments in which fifty foliage plant species were selected for evaluation under two growing structures having two different systems viz., open ventilated and fan and pad. Air Pollution Tolerance Index of all the selected species of foliage plants were computed and based on that, ten species was selected and their performance under different indoor light conditions was studied. The air borne microbes and dust filtering efficiency of these ten indoor foliage plant species were also evaluated. When the growing structures, viz., open ventilated & fan and pad greenhouses were compared, the plants kept in fan and pad system were found to be superior than the plants kept in open ventilated greenhouse with regard to most of the characters. So the fan and pad system could be considered as the best for growing the foliage plants. But precautions should be taken to check the humidity levels. Fifty selected species of foliage plants were classified into six categories namely rosette, tree-like, flowering, upright, grass-like and climbing and trailing based on their growth habit. Among the rosette type, Anthurium crystallinum, Calathea zebrina, Philodendron wendlandii and Homalomena wallisii could be recommended for their compactness. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Punctatum aureum’, Ficus benjamina, Licuala grandis, Rhapis excelsa and Schefflera arboricola could be recommended among the tree-like species which could be utilized to decorate bigger indoor places. In flowering foliage plants, Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana could be recommended for any indoor conditions as they would improve the interior environment with their attractive flowers as well as foliages. Aglaonema pseudobracteatum, Dieffenbachia amoena, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, Dracaena ‘Purple Compacta’, Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Sensation’ and Zamioculcas zamiifolia could be recommended in upright foliage plants. Among grass-like species, Cyperus alternifolius, Chlorophytum ‘Charlotte’ and Ophiopogon jaburan ‘Variegata’ were found to be good and recommended to place them in groupings. Among climbing and trailing plants, Scindapsus aureus, Syngonium podophyllum, Philodendron ‘Ceylon Gold’ and Philodendron elegans were found best and recommended for places like staircase, balcony etc. The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the foliage plant species under the study was computed for three different seasons, viz., March-April, June-July and October- November and based on this they were categorized into sensitive, intermediately tolerant, moderately tolerant and tolerant. It was observed that Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Calathea zebrina and Dracaena ‘Purple Compacta’ had the highest APTI value and was tolerant to air pollution irrespective of the seasons. In all the seasons, Aglaonema pseudobracteatum, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Syngonium podophyllum, Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ and Zamioculcas zamiifolia were found to be the most susceptible and they could be recommended to be used as indicator plants for pollution. Other species could also be utilized based on their tolerance levels with respect to the seasons. Based on the APTI value, ten species were selected (two from each category) and their performance was studied under five different indoor light conditions viz., low (<800 lux), medium (800-2000 lux), high (>2000 lux), supplementary (800-2000 lux) and supplementary light with air condition. From the results, it was found that most the foliage plants could thrive well under medium light condition. In addition with that, under air conditioned zone with supplementary light, species like Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Philodendron elegans and Syngonium podophyllum could be recommended. Species like Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Rhapis excelsa and other palms could be recommended for areas with high light intensity. The performance of Scindapsus aureus was found good with regard to almost all the desirable characters in all the light conditions. The foliage plants were found very effective in reducing air borne microbes present in indoor conditions. The maximum amount of reduction (35.43 %) was recorded in the zone with medium light intensity where there were 127 Total colony forming units (Tcfu) without plants, which was reduced to 82 Tcfu when foliage plants were kept under the same zone. Regarding the dust filtering efficiency, the maximum amount of dust (3.57 gm-2) was found to be removed from the atmosphere by Syngonium podophyllum. Based on the amount of dust collected by the species, they could be arranged as Syngonium podophyllum > Philodendron elegans > Ficus benjamina > Philodendron ‘Ceylon Gold’> Anthurium andreanum > Schefflera arboricola > Chrysalidocarpus lutescens > Rhapis excelsa > Spathiphyllum wallisii > Scindapsus aureus.
Open Access
Standardization of organic nutrient regimes for Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) cultivars.
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Jomy, Jacob; KAU; Sabina George, T
Anthurium andreanum Lind. is cultivated globally for its attractive flowers and foliage. Kerala is identified as one of the most suitable places for growing Anthuriums because of the congenial climatic conditions similar to its natural habitat. For the nutrition of Anthuriums, standardization of eco-friendly organic manures is a felt need of growers. Though several organic nutrient dosages and an integrated nutrient dosage have been found promising for juvenile to mature tissue cultured plants of the Anthurium, these differed in their content of nutrients, constituent organic-inorganic fractions, components and their frequency of application. Refinement of these dosages and formulation of modified organic nutrient regimes consisting of easily available and eco friendly cost effective organic materials were intended in this investigation. Thus, an investigation was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani of the Kerala Agricultural University during 2009-2011 for a period of 18 months. The experiment was in CRD with 12 treatment combinations of 2 cultivars ( Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical) and 6 nutrient regimes The nutrient supplied under N1 to N4 was 2.15: 1.47: 2.37 N:P2O5:K2O g plant-1 (total per bimonth), and under N5 and N6 was 2.41:4.73:1.89 N:P2O5:K2O g plant-1 (total per bimonth)]. All the treatments were given weekly application of cow dung slurry 0.83 g/ plant. N1 comprised of organic manure mix 12.4 g plant-1 applied weekly (containing coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake and wood ash) + Cow’s urine 8 ml/plant weekly. Modified organic manure mix 25.96 g plant-1 (containing wood ash, cow dung and bone meal) applied weekly for N2, 51.925 g plant-1 applied biweekly for N3, 103.85 g plant-1 applied monthly for (N4). N5 comprised of organic manure mix 40 g plant-1applied bimonthly (containing leaf compost, coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake, poultry manure and wood ash) +NPK Fertilizer (18:18:18) @1 g plant-1 weekly. N6 comprised of organic manure mix 40 g plant-1 applied bimonthly (containing leaf compost, coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake, poultry manure and wood ash) + Organic manure mix (containing cow dung, leaf compost, bone meal, and wood ash ) applied weekly. The first experiment was aimed at standardizing organic nutrient regimes for flower production from top cuttings in Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical. Vegetative characters such as the total number of newly emerged leaves upto 6, 12 and 18 MAP, annual leaf production, total leaf area at 6, 12 and 18 MAP, mean petiole length at 6, 12 and 18 MAP, mean phyllochron, days from emergence to senescence of leaves, rate of sucker production were found to differ significantly among manurial treatments. A comparative enhancement in vegetative characters such as number of leaves, leaf area, petiole length, annual leaf production and leaf duration, and lesser interval between leaf emergence were observed in plants under N2, N3, N4 and N6. These treatments also recorded greater number of flowers as well as annual flower production per plant, shorter mean interval between flower emergence and lesser days to harvestable maturity of flowers than organic treatment with cows urine weekly (N1) and organic inorganic integrated regime (N5). The manurial treatments of modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3), monthly (N4) and organic treatment with manure mix bimonthly (N6) increased the length and width of the spathe, greater girth of flower stalk. The vase life of flower were found greater under modified organic treatment weekly (N2), biweekly (N3) and organic treatment with cows urine weekly (N1). Similarly, water uptake was higher in plants treated with modified organic treatment applied biweekly and weekly than under organic inorganic integrated regime. The organic inorganic integrated regime was found to effect in higher N and P content of leaves than all other treatments. Higher K content of leaves was recorded under N3 regime. The second experiment was aimed at standardization of nutrient regime(s) for sucker production and subsequent flower production from basal stem stumps in Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical. Modified organic treatment applied weekly (N2), biweekly (N3) and monthly (N4) recorded greater total leaf area of shoots from 3 MAP until separation, number and length of roots at separation, total length of suckers and number of leaves at retention and thereafter, lesser interval between leaf emergence and greater longevity of leaves and greater petiole length at 18 MAP, length, number of leaves and mean petiole length of retained suckers at 18 MAP, earlier and greater flower production. Modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3) also recorded higher total number of suckers and rate of sucker production. Cultivar differences in vegetative and floral characters were found to be distinct in both experiments. In the planted basal stumps of experiment 2, sprouting and sucker development was observed. However, earlier sprouting and development of sprouts into shoots was observed in cv. Tropical than in Acropolis. In Experiment 1, though the treatments N2, N3 and N4 had equal effects on leaf production, total leaf area, flower production and shorter interval between flower emergence, in economic analysis, the treatment expenditure increasing from N4 to N2 can be a limiting factor determining their relative feasibility. The advantages in suckering observed in these cultivars in experiment 2, resulted in greater net value realization of cv. Acropolis under modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3) and monthly (N4) and in cv. Tropical under modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3).

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